Remembering a fallen friend

His former swimming and water polo coach said Justin Valdez was going to make the world a better place, and many at the vigil Sunday for the 20-year-old Garden Grove High grad said he already had – by changing them.

Valdez, a sophomore at San Francisco State University, was shot in the back Sept. 23 after getting off a train in San Francisco. He was known for environmental activism on the Garden Grove campus.

“You were someone I knew who could change the world … We're going to change the world for you,” Vivianne Mai told the crowd of more than 300 gathered on the campus pool deck.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.